Ventilator

ABSTRACT

A device that fits in the zipper of sports bags and any environment made of durable malleable material that has a zipper or buttons to provide ventilation and filtered outlets to allow items on the inside of zipper to dry quickly thus avoiding bacteria buildup, mold, odor, and other health related issues.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After a vigorous sports activity, sports equipment E.g. Hockey orLacrosse safety gear, will be damp (from perspiration, hydration andrink or field conditions) and prone to bacteria build up whenventilation is not provided to speed the drying process. To avoidbacteria build up the traditional method is to empty the contents of thesports bag, and either hang or layout said equipment. This proceduremust be preformed after every use, as soon as possible.

When my son turned six years old I started noticing that his hockeyhelmet was developing an odour. I discovered that once this odourstarted to appear, it was hard to get rid of. I looked for a remedy fromsports shops and the internet, but found nothing that solved theproblem. I tried freezing the helmet, spraying Lysol, and other bacteriaremoval methods, but the problem persisted. At this time I settled formounting his helmet on a fan. Using the fan to dry and ventilate hishelmet, so it could dry and be refreshed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Using a fan to quickly dry and ventilate the helmet proved to be thebest solution. At the time, I had an idea to mount a fan onto a sportsrack. Although it was effective, it was too much trouble because it onlyworked if you emptied the bag out after every game and practice and hungit all up every time. The first time you forgot, everything went south.The challenge was to keep the solution as simple, effortless and aspractical as possible. At this time I thought of permanently mounting afan to a wheeled hockey bag, this was effective however it was difficultto produce and made the hockey bag to heavy and bulky. It also onlyworked with a hard bottomed wheel bag and could not easily be mountedinto carry bags, or special team bags that many teams require you use.

This proved to be the best solution. At the time, I had an idea to mounta fan onto a sports rack. Although it was effective, it was too muchtrouble because it only worked if you emptied the bag out after everygame and practice and hung it all up every time. The first time youforgot, everything went south. The challenge was to keep the solution assimple, effortless and as practical as possible. At this time I thoughtof permanently mounting a fan to a wheeled hockey bag, this waseffective however it was difficult to produce and made the hockey bag toheavy and bulky.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is intended to simplify the process of drying the sportsequipment. By simply mounting the invention into the zipper of theoffending bag and plugging it into a power source, your sports gear willhave fresh air circulating through the bag; effectively you are able todry the contents of the sports bag without the need to remove anythingfrom the bag. A power source is needed, which can include 110 ACstandard plug, 12-volt DC plug, a car lighter plug or battery eitherregular or rechargeable.

The bacteria that left unchecked can become harmful, and dangerous toyour health. Staff infections, mold, and bacteria are just a few of theproblems that can result. Cardiovascular complications can result frombreathing contaminated equipment. Having an open cut can exonerate theissues.

Many times when sports equipment is removed from its sports bag fordrying, for one reason or another it fails to get put back into the bag.Often the result is needless trips back home to retrieve said equipment,thus wasting time, and transpiration related costs.

It is a goal of the invention to provide a unique and easy method toventilate and quickly dry sports equipment, without removing theequipment from its storage bag.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be setforth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of preferredembodiments thereof which follows.

Problems This Invention Overcomes

After a vigorous sports activity, sports equipment E.g. Hockey orLacrosse safety gear, will be damp (from perspiration, hydration andrink or field conditions) and prone to bacteria build up whenventilation is not provided to speed the drying process. To avoidbacteria build up the traditional method is to empty the contents of thesports bag, and either hang or layout said equipment. This proceduremust be preformed after every use, as soon as possible. The invention isintended to simplify this activity. By simply mounting the inventioninto the zipper of the offending bag and plugging it in you effectivelyare able to dry the contents of the sports bag without the need toremove anything from the bag. A power source is needed, which caninclude 110 AC standard plug, 12-volt DC plug, a car lighter plug orbattery either regular or rechargeable.

The bacteria that left unchecked, can become harmful, and dangerous toyour health. Staff infections, mold, and bacteria are just a few of theproblems that can result. Having an open cut can exonerate the issues.

Many times when sports equipment form its sports bag for drying, for onereason or another it fails to get put back into the bag. Often theresult is needless trips back home to retrieve said equipment, thuswasting time, and transpiration related costs.

Limitations of This Invention Could Include

1) It may not operate in sub zero climates.

2) Needs a power source of some kind.

3) Someone still has to plug it in.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention is designed to mount into a sports bag zipper. E.g. Hockeyequipment bag, roller hockey equipment bag, Lacrosse equipment bag aswell as some smaller sports bags. It will basically fit anywhere youhave a zipper opening large enough to fit the invention, it could alsobe used for circulation in a tent, sleeping bag or other.

The structure of the invention is such that air will be drawn fresh airinto the sports bag through the area normally occupied by the closedzipper. The operation of the invention is to dry sports equipment whileit is still in the bag. It incorporates a fan, and a fan housingspecially designed to temporally mount into any sports bag that has azipper. It is designed to handle attachments that will allow it to:

Circulate fresh air into the sports bag thus mimicking removing all theequipment from the bag and hanging it up on a rack or clothesline todry. (draw air into bag)

Draw air out of a zippered bag, or opening.

Dry some equipment out of the bag with special attachments (mainlygloves and helmets)

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Provide exhaust ports in strategic positions to force air out to theextremities of the bag to force air through the contents of the bag.(Grommets put in the corners 4)

Refresh the equipment in the spots bag by airing it quickly with the airmanifold system.

Filter the stale air through a carbon filter or such, so the air comingfrom the bag is basically odor free. (said filters will attach to thegrommets this forcing air through carbon filter before it exits thebag.)

Focus UV light on to the desired equipment to eliminate current bacteriaconditions. (see attachment fig. *** showing UV light and manifold)

Options or Future Add-Ons to This Invention Could Include

Internal channels could be added within the bag to force moving air intoless obvious areas of the bag. E.g. separate pocket in the bag thatcould hold hockey skates, sports tape, or tools.

Additional exhaust ports could be added to these extra pockets as wellas the bag in general.

Said exhaust ports also act as an air distribution method because theair under pressure will find the exhaust ports, thus acting like a flowchannel.

The possibility of adding a UV light and air manifold system.

The possibility of using rechargeable batteries.

The possibility of a timer to control the fan motor.

The possibility of using some kind of moisture gauge to act as a shutoff mechanism.

The possibility of adding some kind of fogging of anti-bacterial sprayor simple freshener. This fogging action could be incorporated into atimer or manual push button.

The possibility of adding some equipment handling accessories such as aglove or helmet rack

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Description of The PreferredEmbodiments

FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred design of the invention. Shows clearlyhow the flange is the critical instrument in mounting the invention intoa spots bag.

FIG. 2 illustrates what the invention looks like while mounted into asports bag. It shows air direction as going both ways, this is done bysimply flipping the device over. It also shows exhaust ports on the endof the bag, this is an attachment that allows the damp air to exit thesports bag.

FIG. 2B shows a blowup drawing of a typical exhaust port. The carbonfilter would be attached to the exhaust ports.

FIG. 3 illustrates a closer view of what the invention looks like whilemounted into the sports bag.

FIG. 3B illustrates how the zipper is split along both sides of theinvention. The open part of the zipper hugs the invention on all sides,thus creating a seal that resist air blow back.

FIG. 4 illustrates the opposite end of the invention and another view ofhow the zipper hugs the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates what a multi fan configuration would look like.Settings could be set to blow both fans the same direction or oppositedirections. Attachments could be mounted to either fan area or both fanareas. In the case of opposite settings, a divider may enhance themovement of air across the equipment contained in the sports bag. Alsoillustrated is an example of how the air could be exhausted throughanother exit port within the invention its self.

FIG. 6 illustrates an inverted view showing what an U.V. dome attachmentwould look like. The dome acts as a manifold as well as providing a U.V.Oblique possibly a clear violet color. The material for this attachmentwould be a clear acrylic and could have some prism type prescriptionsfor light distribution and enhancement.

FIG. 7 illustrates the short section of the device showing how the U.V.dome typically could mount to the main housing. The flanges are clearlyshown but could be of a different shape in the production model.

FIG. 8 illustrates what the glove attachment will look like. The chimneylike protrusions will act as a rack for specialty type equipment likehockey gloves. The mounting style and mounting holes are alsoillustrated.

FIG. 9 illustrates a very close look at how the zipper surrounds theinvention when installed. Note that only the zipper and zipper web areshown for clarity. (The actual bag is hidden)

FIG. 10 illustrates only the zipper in the position it would be in withthe invention installed. When the zipper handles are pulled together aseal is produced. This seal will allow air to be blown into or out ofthe sports bag with minimal leakage.

FIG. 11 illustrates the construction of the invention and how twosimilar or identical parts sandwich a purchased fan.

FIG. 12 illustrates the short section showing the fan, the grill, hub,sections of the zipper and zipper web and how they fit into the sportsbag two headed zipper.

FIG. 12B illustrates a blowup section view of the zipper, zipper web,and sports bag.

FIG. 13 illustrates the long section, showing the zipper heads, thezipper handles, the electrical box, the fan, and approximately how thezipper heads approach the end of the invention and the end cut of theflange.

FIG. 13B illustrates a blowup section of how the zipper head is pulledup to the invention using its unique shape to house and hug theinvention.

The invention has been described in connection with numerousembodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms andtechniques that have been described are merely illustrative of theprinciples of the invention, and numerous modifications may be made tothe methods and apparatus described without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 Descriptions

101. Wire channel—an internal wire channel that attaches the fan cavityto the electrical box.

102. Small hole for power cord

103. Electrical box—a round cavity to facilitate wiring and possibleon/off switch.

104. Center hub of product—common place for sticker or engraving.

105. Grill—provides protection for the fan blades, could be shaped torepresent a certain sport. I.e.. It could look like a hockey stick,lacrosse stick, hockey player, country emblem, team emblem.

106. Hole in part—hole lines up with internal fan, provides attachmentpoint for some attachments.

107. Flange—shows the flange that traps (hugs) the zipper and shows howthe flange terminates to allow zipper handles to snug up close toinvention.

FIG. 2-A and FIG. 2-B Descriptions

201. Zipper handle—part of zipper that controls the zipping andunzipping.

202. Sports bag handle—used to transport the equipment bag.

203. Shows the air direction—air may be forced into the bag or out ofthe bag. (in or out)

204. Shows what the invention looks like installed in typ. Sports bag.

205. Shows the closed part of a straight zipper. Other zippers may beshaped like a “C” or other.

206. Exhaust port—holes for the air to escape, this is where the carbonair filter would be attached. (4-6)

207. End of the sports bag—shows the end of the bag

208. Side of eh sports bag—shows the side of a typical sports bag of noparticular size.

209. locking mechanism of the exhaust port—possible shape of exhaustport where there is an inside piece and any outside piece that locktogether and provide an attachment feature for the carbon filter.

FIG. 3-A and FIG. 3-B Description

301. Zipper handle—used to open and close the zipper

302. Invention—shows closer view of an installed “Ventilator”

303. Zipper—shown in closed position

304. Flange—Illustrates the top side of the flange (flange shape orflange ending is not fixed.

305. Zipper mechanism—part of the zipper that facilitates opening andclosing the zipper

306. Zipper split area—shows where the zipper opens and initially hugsthe invention.

FIG. 4-A and FIG. 4-B Description

401. Zipper—shown closed

402. Zipper handle

403. Zipper mechanism

404. Zipper web—attached the zipper to the sports bag

FIG. 5 Description

501. Possible exhaust port using a carbon filter and extension pipe toteach the bottom of the bag.

502. Grill—shows grill or fan area of the double fan long product.

503. Minimum Radius—Minimum radius maintained to enhance hug type fit.

504. Electrical box—housed the wires and wire connectors or switches.

FIG. 6 Description

601. Air channel—design of this attachment is such that it will not onlyact as a UV magnifier but also an air manifold.

602. Helmet and UV attachment—shown in inverted position ready forhelmet sanitation. It can also be used in the regular position thusprotruding into the sports bag, evenly distributing sanitized air, andUV bacteria killing light.

603. attachment holding holes—used to mount attachments using screws,snaps, rivets etc.

FIG. 7 Description

701. Section of flange showing one possible shape for the zipper to hugaround

702. Section of screw hole for construction of invention, can also beassembled using rivets, self tapping screws, etc.

703. Invention grill (fan guard)

704. Fan insulation area—this is where the fan (purchased) isencapsulated.

705. Possible attachment (round) area—some attachments can mount ontapered surface.

706. UV light socket

707. U.V. Light bulb or source of U.V. light source (bacteria killing)also provides heat.

708. Section of U.V. attachment-

709. Section showing web to hold the rings in place on U.V. attachment.

FIG. 8 Description

801. Upper lip of glove attachment—Illustrates where the gloves willmount for specialized drying.

802. Glove attachment—glove attachment showing glove cones for mountinggloves or specialty gear.

803. Attachment mounting holes.

FIG. 9 (page 27) is a close-up view of the end of the unit, showing boththe end of The Ventilator and the zipper from the that surrounds theflange of the unit.

FIG. 10 (page 28) illustrates the shape of the zipper when TheVentilator is installed (Ventilator not shown)

FIG. 11 (page 29) illustrates the basic construction of the unit (shownare the ventilator assembly parts and the purchased fan.

FIG. 12-A (page 30) is a section view of The ventilator Unit cut theshort way. (showing components, mount holes, zipper flange, and zipper)

FIG. 12-B (page 30) is a blow-up of a portion of FIG. 12

FIG. 13-A and 13-B (page 31) illustrates a section view of the unit cutthe long way through the part along with a blow up of said part. (shownare the zipper handles (one or two handles, depending) the purchasedfan, the electrical box, and the cord or plug opening)

1. This device is a mobile unit that fits in the zipper of sports bags(or other zippers) to provide ventilation for items to dry or ventilate.This subsequently dries items quickly thus avoiding bacteria buildup,mold, odor, and other health related issues. The device will also keepitems ventilated thus further discouraging bacteria buildup, mold, odor,and other health related issues. Any environment that is made of durablemalleable material containing a zipper can house this unit. This unitdraws air from one side of the zipper, circulates it and effectivelydispenses stale air as to the opposite side. Disclosed is thedescription of how the device mounts to the bag, the effects of thedevice, as well as attachments that will add to the effectiveness,appearance, byproducts, and function of the invention. For thisapplication, the unit may also be referred to as “The Ventilator”, “Thedevice”, “the unit” or “the Invention”.